# NTSB LAX86FVG07: Phillips Steen Skybolt, N69Z, Sonora, CA, August 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1986, 09:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Sonora, CA
- Coordinates: 37.980915, -120.390739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9809&lon=-120.3907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FVG07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVG07

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
- Hard landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

AN AMATEUR BUILT PHILLIPS STEEN SKYBOLT EXPERIENCED AN INFLIGHT FAILURE OF THE UPPER WING PANEL FABRIC WHICH LED TO A RAPID DESCENT AND SUBSEQUENT HARD LANDING IN A PARKING LOT. EXAMINATION OF THE WING PANEL REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF GLUE OR BONDING MATERIAL HAVING EVER BEEN APPLIED TO THE FABRIC TO SECURE IT TO THE CENTER SECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N69Z), registered now, S/N 200-2, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PHILLIPS STEEN SKYBOLT (STEEN SKYB)
- Registry model: [Phillips STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/phillips-steen-skybolt) (registry code 0565581) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 200-2
- Airframe hours: 186
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Norman Mckamey
- Registered owner: Norman P Mckamey
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1986, 8 hours before
- Departed: 022, SONORA, CA
- Airport: 022, Sonora

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 590 total, 104 in this make and model, 547 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860831043599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860831043599A), Aug 31, 1986: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Sonora, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft made a hard forced landing when wing fabric separated. Inadequate construction of homebuilt wing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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